Talk with Current Students
Meet the Student Ambassadors
Notre Dame Law School’s Student Ambassadors are current 2Ls and 3Ls who are excited to offer their unique insight into our community. If you have questions about the student experience at NDLS, feel free to email them at lawadmit@nd.edu. To contact a specific ambassador, simply name them in the subject or greeting of your email.
For more specific questions about the application and admissions process, please contact the admissions staff after reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions.
Alesis Juntunen, 3L (Ambassador Coordinator)
Hometown: Lorena, Texas
Area of Law Studied: Constitutional Law; Local Government Law; Land Use Law
Undergraduate career: University of Notre Dame, 2022
NDLS extracurricular activities: Journal of Legislation; Moot Court; First Generation Professionals; Women’s Legal Forum; Christian Legal Society; Federalist Society
Legal work: 1L Summer: Goldwater Institute; 2L Summer: Institute for Justice (Phoenix, AZ office)
Future plans and aspirations: Clerking for the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals starting Fall of 2026, then I hope to work for a public interest organization focused on government accountability
Why did you choose NDLS? The community at Notre Dame is unlike anywhere else! After having obtained my undergraduate and master's degrees from Notre Dame, it was clear that NDLS was where I wanted to be as I learned how to become a lawyer. The faculty are outstanding, the students are brilliant, and the alumni network is unmatched. Notre Dame has continued to set me up for success in every way, and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to learn from and with such splendid people.
Lucas Brolin, 3L (Ambassador Coordinator)
Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California
Area of Law Studied: Criminal Law; Sentencing Law & Policy; Criminal Procedure; Jurisprudence; Constitutional Law; Civil Rights; Tort Law
Undergraduate career: California Lutheran University, 2022
NDLS extracurricular activities: Teaching Assistant; Research Assistant; Hamburg Honor Scholar; Student Bar Association, Honor Council Prosecutor; Jewish Law Students Association, Founding President; Journal of Law, Ethics & Public Policy, Executive Online Editor
Legal work: Prior to law school, I clerked for the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office and spent two summers as a youth counselor at the Ventura County District Attorney's Family Justice Center. I spent my 1L summer abroad in Hamburg, Germany, where I studied Legal Technology and Operations at Bucerius Law School. During my 2L summer, I worked as a Research Assistant for Professor Richard Garnett and was a Civil Rights Fellow for the Center for Equal Opportunity, in Washington, DC. Throughout law school, I have worked as a Teaching Assistant, externed for the St. Joseph County Prosecutor's Special Victims Unit and Juvenile Justice Center, and am currently working for the Exoneration Justice Clinic.
Future plans and aspirations: After law school, I'll be clerking for the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. As far as my legal career goes, I plan to prosecute for the Department of Justice or serve my country elsewhere in the federal government. However, I've fallen in love with academia since committing to Notre Dame Law School. I plan to pursue a PhD after graduation, and one day, I'd love to work as a professor myself. (Preferably, at NDLS!)
Why did you choose NDLS? Choosing a law school felt like rolling the dice. I was across the Pacific during the admissions process and felt understandably distant. With few people to consult and no opportunity to return to the States for campus tours, I had to make a gut decision. Notre Dame Law School stood out to me. The class sizes were small, the intellectual diversity seemed exceptional, and the law school wasn't tucked away, but located in the heart of campus. Most importantly, the Admissions Committee made it clear that I had a special place there. Trusting my gut turned out to be the best decision of my life. Now, I'm eager to show you exactly why NDLS stands out.
Helping prospective and present law students isn't just my passion; it's my job. Never hesitate to reach out with any questions, comments, or concerns—I'm always eager to help. And for international students interested, I'm also a certified ESL teacher. If you want some TOEFL tips and tricks, just let me know.
Michael Caplan, 3L (Ambassador Coordinator)
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Area of Law Studied: Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Legislation and Regulation, Trademark Law
Undergraduate career: University of California, Santa Barbara, 2020
NDLS extracurricular activities: Federalist Society, Jus Vitae, Hispanic Law Students Association, St. Thomas More Society
Legal work: My 2L summer, I was a summer associate at Porter Wright Morris & Arthur in their Washington D.C. office and completed research assistance for Professor Jorge Barrera Rojas. During my 1L summer, I interned at Alliance Defending Freedom in their Virginia office and completed research assistance for Tom Fisher at EdChoice.
Future plans and aspirations: I will work for Porter Wright Morris & Arthur in their flagship office in Columbus, Ohio. Then I will clerk on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. I hope to develop an expertise in the intersection between law and public policy litigation.
Why did you choose NDLS? Notre Dame was my top choice for law school because I knew that no other school of its caliber offered the holistic formation NDLS does. I came to this institution because where I can grow in faith, character, and my legal abilities. In every way, Notre Dame has fulfilled my expectations and offered a welcoming community.
Erica Lizza, 3L
Hometown: St. Clair Shores, Michigan
Area of Law Studied: Criminal Law; Law, Ethics, and Public Policy
Undergraduate career: Georgetown University, 2019
NDLS extracurricular activities: Federalist Society, St. Thomas More Society, Jus Vitae, Women's Legal Forum
Legal work: Prior to law school, I worked as a paralegal at a boutique litigation firm in Washington, D.C. for three years. During my 1L summer, I worked as a research assistant for Prof. Rick Garnett. I spent my 2L summer as a summer law clerk at the Indiana Office of the Attorney General, Solicitor General Division.
Future plans and aspirations: Public interest work, exact type to be determined
Why did you choose NDLS? In addition to strong academics, I was looking for a school that embraced its Catholic identity and supported students in their faith lives. I also loved the strong sense of community and beautiful campus.
Steven Henderson, 2L
Hometown: Madison, Alabama
Area of Law Studied: Business litigation; constitutional law; tribal law
Undergraduate career: B.S. Public Policy from Liberty University ('23); worked as political consultant for a few years; after graduation worked as a business analyst for a Defense contractor.
NDLS extracurricular activities: Moot Court Board (Brief Writer); Journal of International and Comparative Law (Staff Editor); Christian Legal Society; Married and Engaged Law Students Organization
Legal work: 1L Summer spent as a Summer Associate in the Nashville office of Womble Bond Dickinson. I'll be returning for my 2L summer.
Future plans and aspirations: Own a hobby farm; start a business; attend a Packers game at Lambeau Field.
Why did you choose NDLS? I chose NDLS because of the school's commitment to TRUE academic freedom and open discussion, and because of the incredible opportunities to learn the law from some of the top legal minds in the field (and even a few Supreme Court justices). I haven't looked back, and I wouldn't go anywhere else!
Elisa Monteiro, 2L
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil & Boston, MA
Area of Law Studied: Criminal Law
Undergraduate career: English Major, Spanish Minor (NYU 2024)
NDLS extracurricular activities: Christian Legal Society; Hispanic Law Student Association; Education Law Forum
Legal work: 1L Summer: Public Defender Office for the District of Columbia; 2L Summer: Federal Public Defenders for the Western District of Washington (Seattle); Clinics: Exoneration Justice Clinic - Program for the Defense of Mexican Nationals in Criminal Matters
Future plans and aspirations: Hope to work at a Public Defender’s Office in NYC and clerk at the state trial level.
Why did you choose NDLS? I wanted the “traditional” college experience and to be at a place where I could take advantage of how my faith intersects with my career.
Maddie Grannis, 2L
Hometown: Libertyville, Illinois
Area of Law Studied: Constitutional Law, Freedom of Religion, Property Law, Land Use Planning, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure
Undergraduate career: University of Notre Dame, 2024
NDLS extracurricular activities: Law Review, Staff Editor St. Thomas More Society, Secretary
Legal work: My 1L summer I interned at the Notre Dame Investment Office. In undergrad, I interned at the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Future plans and aspirations: I hope to build a career as a generalist, ideally at a small local firm or in-house with an organization whose work I care about. I hope to work on a wide range of legal issues and do so in a way that supports my local community.
Why did you choose NDLS? As an undergrad at ND, I always looked up to the law school and all the law students. The law school truly is a core part of campus, both physically and intellectually. The professors are incredibly impressive but also super approachable and generous with their time. The legal education is top tier, but there are also plenty of opportunities to think more holistically about your career and future. When I got the acceptance letter to NDLS it was an easy choice for me. I am so proud to be a member of such a beautiful, welcoming, and successful community!
Josh Arsulowicz, 2L
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Area of Law Studied: Business Law/Mergers & Acquisitions, Tax Law, Labor and Employment, Probate and Estate Planning
Undergraduate career: Loyola University Chicago, 2024 (BBA)
NDLS extracurricular activities: Business Law Forum, Transactional Law Society, GALILEE Public Interest Immersion Program, intramural sports
Legal work: Last summer, I was a summer associate at Miller Johnson in their Grand Rapids office, focusing primarily on Corporate/M&A and Probate/Estate Planning work. Currently, I am externing at William Blair in Chicago in their legal and compliance division for investment banking.
Future plans and aspirations: I will be returning to Miller Johnson this upcoming summer, and hope to develop a career in Grand Rapids focused on corporate law and/or estate planning, with a strong amount of pro bono work as well.
Why did you choose NDLS? I chose NDLS for a few key reasons. First, it has an incredibly strong reputation and an alumni network with connections across the United States. Additionally, from my visits, I felt the common belief at NDLS that a legal career requires you to not just help yourself, but to give back to others, which was important to me. Similarly, it was a place where I was able to integrate my faith and my studies. As a cherry on top, the beautiful campus and the chance to be at college football games on fall Saturdays made the decision that much easier.
Elsie Connell, 2L
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
Area of Law Studied: International Law
Undergraduate career: John Carroll University
NDLS extracurricular activities: Art, Cultural Heritage, and Museum Law Society, President; NDLS Run Club, Co-President; Women's Legal Forum; Special Education Law Clinic
Legal work: Prior to law school I worked full time at a boutique litigation firm in Chicago for two years. My 1L summer I was a Summer Associate a full service mid size firm in Chicago called Croke, Fairchild, Duarte & Beres in Chicago.
Future plans and aspirations: Next summer I will be a Summer Associate at Greenberg Traurig LLP at the Chicago office.
Why did you choose NDLS? Growing up just outside of Chicago, the Notre Dame name has always loomed large. While traditional factors like rankings and post-graduate opportunities were important in my decision, it was ultimately the NDLS community that stood out. At Notre Dame, students and professors engage with one another in meaningful ways. With small class sizes and no sections, the collegial culture is unmistakable. I also identify strongly with the idea of becoming a “Different Kind of Lawyer,” and it is clear that the entire NDLS community embraces that commitment.
Anthony Warnick, 3L
Hometown: Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Area of Law Studied: Corporate Law and Transactional Law
Undergraduate career: Government Consulting
NDLS extracurricular activities: London Law Programme; Journal of Legislation; LexisNexis Student Representative
Legal work: After my 1L year, I was a summer intern at the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia in the Civil Division. Most recently, I was a 2L summer associate at a law firm in New York City in the corporate department.
Future plans and aspirations: I plan to return to the firm where I completed my summer associate position following graduation.
Why did you choose NDLS? I chose to attend Notre Dame Law School to be a part of a community that not only prioritizes an excellent legal education but provides a holistic student experience. The opportunity to experience small class sizes, build relationships with professors, immerse into the South Bend community, and study abroad in London all pointed me towards NDLS. Go Irish!
Anna Capps, 2L
Hometown: Augusta, GA
Area of Law Studied: Legislation and Regulation, Con Law, Evidence
Undergraduate career: Political Science
NDLS extracurricular activities: Co-Chair of the SBA Merchandise Committee, Social Media Chair/Media Manager for the Public Interest Legal Forum, Exoneration Justice Clinic
Legal work: I worked at the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General, Post-Conviction Relief Section for 2 years in undergrad. This summer, I interned at the US District Court for the Southern District of Georgia!
Future plans and aspirations: TBD!
Why did you choose NDLS? I applied to over a dozen law schools, and none felt like the right fit. When I got into NDLS, I knew immediately that it was the right choice. I liked the idea of living in a small town and having a close-knit community, as well as learning from some of the nation's top legal scholars/professors. I committed to NDLS within 24 hours of being accepted, having never toured, and haven't regretted my decision at all since!